Effects of Endocrine Health on Mental Performance of Men and Women Using Drugs

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The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of decreased functioning of the testes or ovaries on mental performance in males and females using illicit drugs excluding marijuana.

Condition or disease

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive or Negative

Detailed Description:

This research is being done to understand the effects of endocrine abnormalities, specifically hypogonadism (decreased functioning of the testes or ovaries) on cognitive (mental) performance in males and females using illicit drugs (excluding marijuana).

Performance on visuospatial, fine motor and verbal tasks can be poor in hypogonadal populations of men and women. HIV+ and IDU+ populations often experience endocrine abnormalities such as hypogonadism. The goal of Study 1 is to determine if patterns of cognitive performance associated with hypogonadism generalize to IDU+, HIV+/HIV- populations. Furthermore, an attempt will be made to associate patterns of cognitive performance with specific endocrine measures, IDU status, HIV status and QOL measures. All published testing materials have been shown to provide good reliability.

Secondary Outcome Measures
:

Gonadal hormones [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

Serum sex hormone measurements are reliable blood tests commonly used to evaluate gonadal function. Total testosterone, the most frequently used screening test for hypogonadism in men, is relatively inexpensive and reliable; free testosterone is loosely bound to albumin. Levels of LH and FSH will assist in discriminating between a central vs. primary hypogonadism. Estradiol is expected to correlate with testosterone levels in men, since testosterone is aromatized to estradiol in the adipocyte. Based on the literature, it is expected that men and women IDU+ will have centrally mediated (secondary hypogonadism) with decreases in serum FSH, LH, estradiol and androgens.

Other Outcome Measures:

Quality of life [ Time Frame: 12 weeks ]

We intend to examine associations between measures of QOL and the cognitive and endocrine measures described above.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 50 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

males and females 18-50 years old who have completed the 8th grade and are using drugs

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Completed the 8th grade

Exclusion Criteria:

Did not complete the 8th grade. Have a hormone problem for which you are taking medication e.g. testosterone or thyroid medicine, steroids, oral contraceptives, progesterone. Diagnosed with cancer. History of schizophrenia. Currently have or have been diagnosed in the past with meningitis or encephalitis.